Start a conversation about development in our pretty little mountain town and you’ll almost certainly hear many different views.
Those differing points of view are valuable because if local decision makers hope to make informed and intelligent decisions they absolutely must know what the general public and the business community really think.
With City Council expecting to receive an application for a permit to develop a new grocery store, pharmacy and other businesses in Steve Platt’s property on the Trans-Canada Highway, the Chamber of Commerce is attempting to kick start a general discussion.
“Many of our members have asked the Chamber team about this proposal,” Executive Director Judy Goodman said in an e-mail to The Current and other member businesses.
“The vision of the Chamber is to promote ‘progress and development’ and a commercial development on this property would bring several benefits to our community. We have been talking to our members and here are the top 10 reasons to welcome new development into our community:”
- Expand the presence of Revelstoke on the highway through improved access points;
- Increase local retail and service employment opportunities;
- New commercial property tax revenue;
- DCC funding to improve highway access;
- Expanded opportunity to showcase Revelstoke’s downtown to highway visitors;
- New opportunities for local businesses to expand to a new location and market;
- New opportunities for local tour operators to expand market reach.;
- New local trades jobs;
- Competition makes small business thrive; and
- New development lets everyone know that Revelstoke is Open for Business.
Not everyone would agree.
“We have also heard some concerns, particularly the effect on the downtown core and existing businesses,” Goodman said. “We welcome discussion on this issue and encourage our members to join us for our Coffee Talk series.”
This new series of discussion begins on August 12 between 7:30 am and 9:30 am. Sponsored by Tim Hortons, people are invited to let the Chamber know their views on these two questions:
- What does the future hold for the highway and our community?
- How can we improve the gateways to our community?
You can find stories about the new Petro Canada station/Starbucks café and the proposed new development on the TCH elsewhere on The Current. Please click here to read the Zoning Bylaw text amendment required to allow the developer to seek a permit.
